Indoor Container Gardening Ideas

Against a boldly patterned wall like this one, a planter must be dramatic enough to hold attention. Dark foliage gives a container impact and gravity.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. Phalaenopsis orchid

2. parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

3. Southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris)

4. ‘Emerald Ripple’ peperomia

Inspired by the pattern in the walls that surround it, this planter celebrates red, a vibrant shade that seems to give the wallpaper a third dimension. Pairing an upright grower with a plant that grows horizontally provides a stairstep of color and a diagonal line for the eye to follow.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. red flowering kalanchoe

2. mahogany fern (Didymochlaena trunculata)

3. episcia (E. cupreata ‘Silver Sheen’)

4. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

The thick, waxy foliage of succulent plants seems to have flesh, unlike thinner leaves. Cacti have their thorns, but these are soft and inviting, giving them presence and appeal—even without flowers. Although they almost appear to be fake, succulents grow satisfyingly fast.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. flapjacks (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora)

2. ‘Spaghetti Strap’ agave

3. ‘Hope’ peperomia

The new year feels like a breath of fresh air, making it an ideal time to try air plants (Tillandsia sp.). These easy tropicals love warmth, air, and regular moisture. Foliage can be fine textured or thick and comes in greens, silvers, pinks, and reds. Leaves often blush before tiny flowers appear in purples, pinks, or reds. In the wild, air plants grow on trees and rocks, absorbing moisture through their leaves. The romantic Spanish moss that hangs from the branches of live oaks in the Coastal South is actually an air plant. Because they need no soil, these textural beauties are great for easy-care terrariums dressed up with aquarium gravel, shells, or pebbles. You can also mount air plants on cork bark or driftwood. Or create a modern look by hanging plants in clear glass globes. (For a great selection of terrarium supplies, visit shopterrain.com.)

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. hexagonal terrarium; available from lampsplus.com

2. red air plant (Tillandsia abdita)

3. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

Here, we've paired an assortment of popular bulbs with an industrial-style galvanized-metal container you might find at a flea market, antiques store, or online. Search local garden centers for inexpensive forced bulbs. Select small pots of individually forced bulbs, or look for large pots with multiple blooms for dividing. Make sure to buy healthy, firm bulbs with tightly closed buds. Pack bulbs closely to intensify their fragrance and beauty. Top off your living arrangement with lush, green moss.

CONTAINER RECIPE
1. Dutch hyacinths
2. Trumpet daffodils
3. Pink tulips
4. Grape hyacinths
5. Miniature daffodils
6. Green sheet moss

Container gardening doesn’t always entail a single pot and the purchase of new plants. Gather a few already-planted favorites in complementary colors, and marry them in an attractive tray for an instant arrangement. Choose plants with similar light and watering needs, so they’ll live in perfect harmony.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

2. hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

3. blue crisp fern (Polypodium aureum)

4. ‘Kent Beauty’ornamental hybrid oregano

A mossy basket holds together the lush growth of a woodland arrangement that will help heal mind, body, and spirit. If doily lacecap hydrangea blooms are not enough, add both wispy and bold ferns and the tracery of vine tumbling over the edge.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. ‘Shooting Star’ hydrangea

2. silver lace fern (Pteris ensiformis)

3. silver dollar maidenhair fern (Adiantum peruvianum)

4. creeping fig (Ficus pumila)

Even if conditions aren't perfect (too hot at night or not bright enough by day), you can help them along. Have two pairs of topiaries, such as the myrtles pictured here, and swap them out every week, so all stay healthy. One is for display while the other is pampered. If insects, such as aphids or whiteflies, become a problem, spray them with soapy water, rinse in the kitchen sink, abd remove what you can by hand.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. 'Compacta' myrtle (Myrtus communis)

Amid the hard, monochromatic surfaces of life indoors, a leafy garden is a thing to cherish, especially one designed with a rich diversity of leaf sizes, colors, and shapes. No flowers are necessary to enjoy the serenity and comfort of a living work of art right in your living room—or any room.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. ‘Red Dragon’ philodendron

2. ‘Vittata’ oyster plant (Tradescantia spathacea)

3. peperomia

Go ahead and overindulge. Succulents are the perfect plant for that. Grouping plants that enjoy the same growing conditions can turn a collection into a showpiece. The varied shapes and colors give this planting season-long interest. Meant to be viewed at a distance, as well as close up, it gains structure from well-chosen containers and fixtures.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. echeveria

2. stapelia

3. flapjacks (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora)

4. braided Sansevieria (S. cylindrica)

5. ‘Aquamarine’ pilea

6. Moses-in-the-cradle (Tradescantia spathacea)

7. hechtia bromeliad

8. rhipsalis

9. variegated trailing jade plant (Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata’)

10. cryptanthus

11. hoya

12. echeveria

A playful basket is the launching point for this fun arrangement. Taken from the colorfully wrapped rings, orange becomes the theme here, fulfilled by a spear of bromeliad and a bouquet of begonia blooms. Both have large leaves, so a finely divided fern and a delicately veined fittonia lend contrast.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. Rieger begonia

2. vriesea bromeliad

3. 'White Anne’ fittonia

4. ‘Florida Ruffle’ Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

5. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

Now is the time to stroll down the primrose path. These beauties produce vibrant color in late winter and early spring, offering shades of blue, purple, red, orange, yellow, pink, white, and more. Primroses thrive in containers, either on the countertop or out on the patio. For extra fullness, add button fern and narcissus, and then finish with a spray of ivy.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. ‘Tête-à-tête’ narcissus

2. ‘Lemon Buttons’ fern (Nephrolepis sp.)

3. red, yellow, and purple primroses (Primula sp.)

4. variegated English ivy (Hedera helix)

Perfect for shaded summer ease or the muted tones of a contemporary interior, this garden in a pot celebrates the calm of green and white. Bold shapes in both dark green and creamy white provide textural contrast to the other finely cut foliage.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. white-flowered anthurium

2. parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

3. variegated Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema sp.)

4. variegated ivy (Hedera helix)

For a unique look, try an off-set composition that features a tall stem surrounded by a mass of colorful foliage. Soft accents of pink (in the orchid and begonia foliage) complement the tones of the metal urn.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. fantail willow branch

2. phalaenopsis orchid

3. calla lily (Zantedeschia sp.)

4. rex begonia

5. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

From the sunny yellow walls to the golden, glazed urn, this setting begs for a lush planting featuring warm tones. A long-blooming begonia, as well as fine-textured and variegated foliage, makes this combination work. Note how the small, variegated vine lends definition amid the green foliage.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. Rieger begonia

2. silver lace fern (Pteris ensiformis)

3. autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora)

4. variegated creeping fig (Ficus pumila ‘Variegata’)

5. asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus)

Some plants like life to be lean, and this planting plan will survive even a busy, multitasking gardener. Morning sun or the gentle afternoon shade of tall trees will keep them all happy. Let the soil get moderately dry before watering. Stick a finger in the soil about 1/2-inch deep. If it doesn’t feel cool and moist, it’s time to water.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. tillandsia

2. stapelia

3. rhipsalis

4. cryptanthus

5. ‘Aquamarine’ pilea

Transform any bare vertical spot into a lush living wall with this simple and smart planting system. Many outside walls are just blank canvases—you’d like to decorate them with colorful flowers and foliage but don’t know how. Try this wall planting system that’s inexpensive and easy to plant, hang, and maintain. The basic unit (kinsmangarden.com, $34.95) consists of a frame measuring 14 inches tall and wide by 5 inches deep. It’s lined with a coco-fiber mat with planting holes cut into the sides and front. You can hang two units together to make a rectangle or four to make a square, as shown here. Plant the bottom row first by adding some potting mix, soaking the root balls of the assorted foliage in water, and pushing the roots through the holes. Add more soil and plants to the row above to fill out the display. When combining two or more units, don’t plant the adjoining edges or you’ll squash the leaves in between!

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. ivy

2. nerve plant

3. spider plant

4. pink arrowhead vine

5. variegated dracaena

6. ‘Neon’ pothos

7. fern

Sometimes, simplicity is best. Even without any flowers, this combination of plants would be pleasing day after day for the handsome foliage and the contrast of big, heart-shaped leaves with the finely cut ferns. Note how the white flowers echo the surface of the glossy white container.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. white-flowered anthurium

2. ferns (Blechnum sp.)

3. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

Terrariums are back, and they are as endearing as ever. There is no better way to minimize care while celebrating plant details. Those with an opening in the glass will need more frequent watering, but they minimize the risk of mold developing if too much water is added.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. rex begonia

2. ‘White Anne’ fittonia

3. mosses gathered on a hike

A green, mossy basket imitates a moist, fertile forest floor. Out of it grows a verdant grouping of flowers and foliage. Subtle but essential, the lime-green fern foliage and the light green oregano blooms give the arrangement energy. The watercolor wash of pink in the oregano blooms trails diagonally across from the mauve pineapple lilies to tie the composition together.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. ‘Shooting Star’ lacecap hydrangea

2. parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

3. pineapple lily (Eucomis ‘Aloha Lily Leia’)

4. ‘Kent Beauty’ ornamental hybrid oregano

5. Southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris)

Fill the void once occupied by holiday decor with this quick fix from your garden center. English ivy topiaries that are pretrained on metal forms, like the lollipop and globe shapes above, take up little space but add big flair. To display, line the bottom of a decorative container with plastic. Then slip in the nursery pot—no replanting needed. Top with sheet moss to hide the soil and to create a more finished look. English ivy does best near a bright window and can be enjoyed indoors for short periods if you wet (not mist) the leaves each week to keep them from drying out and inviting spider mites. To water your plant, remove it from the decorative container, water it, let it drain, and return it to the pot. The best way to perk up houseplants this time of year is to water them well and then move them outside for a few hours on a warm day.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. English ivy (Hedera helix)

Combining plants of similar colors forms a cohesive look. A bold orange bromeliad is echoed by a cloudlike cluster of kalanchoe and even the tawny new fronds of autumn fern. Because the low urn is visually heavy, the upfacing trumpet of bromeliad is used to lift the eye. All others help bring the two together.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. Guzmania bromeliad

2. kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

3. mahogany fern (Didymochlaena trunculata)

4. autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora)

A basket made of rustic natural materials holds simple compositions of ferns, mosses, and other greenery. The handle on this basket adds country charm.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. mother fern (Asplenium viviparum)

2. rex begonia

3. autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora)

4. variegated ivy (Hedera helix)

5. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

Vibrant flowering plants are uplifted by complementary leaves. This mimics the scene of a garden, where the foliage plants, grown in their natural shapes, are chosen to loosen and balance the tall mass of color while subtly concealing the “legs” of the taller plants.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. ‘Orange Star’ star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum dubium)

2. hydrangea (H. macrophylla)

3. ‘Lemon Buttons’ fern (Nephrolepis sp.)

4. echeveria

5. variegated ivy (Hedera helix)

Here’s a different, more trailing take on a wall garden, made possible by a planting frame lined with coco fiber. Choosing plants that grow in trees in their natural habitats will help minimize watering and make the most of the natural shape (or drape) of the foliage. This planting called for dark, glossy leaves with the same cool feeling as the blue wall behind it.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. ‘Aquamarine’ pilea

2. oncidium orchid

The composition of this plant-laden basket leads the eye from upper left to lower right. The sweep of upright and trailing plants has the grace of a signature with a flourish or perhaps a hat tipped just so. It is assymetrical yet balanced, which is more typical of an arrangement of cut flowers.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. silver lace fern (Pteris ensiformis)

2. pink flowered calla lily (Zantedeschia sp.)

3. Southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris)

4. ‘Glacier’ ivy

Threading a single color through a container garden is like accenting a color in your clothing with a scarf or tie. It pulls it all together. In this basket, the purply pink of pineapple lilies are repeated in the calla lilies and the edges of the oregano blooms.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. calla lily

2. pineapple lily (Eucomis ‘Aloha Lily Leia’)

3. ‘Kent Beauty’ ornamental hybrid oregano

4. autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora)

5. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

Peek through the glass to see a little magic—vibrant color guaranteed to brighten winter’s gray light. To make a terrarium, choose a glass container with an opening wide enough for your hand. Gently add an inch or two of washed, fine gravel. Top gravel with a thin layer of activated aquarium carbon. (You’ll find both at your local pet store.) Next, add moistened potting mix, and you’ll be ready to plant. Create a collection of plants, or showcase just one. Good choices include ferns, succulents, mosses, miniature moth orchids, African violets, and kalanchoes. Place your terrarium in diffused light, using a cork pad to protect the surface underneath. Because your container has no drainage holes, be sure not to overwater. Editor’s tip: Water with a turkey baster to get just the right amount of moisture to your plants. As they grow, trim the foliage when needed.

CONTAINER RECIPE

1. miniature moth orchid

2. silver ribbon fern

3. ripple peperomia

4. table fern

5. moss